Miss Aitken appeared visibly distressed as the three entered pleas of not-guilty to the charge of murder.

Mr Aitken’s wife, Pamela, 40, appeared alongside them and pleaded not-guilty to a charge of assisting an offender.

All four were remanded in custody and are due to appear before the same court on May 1 for trial.

Barry Smith, 48, was discovered in the grounds of Kilburn Welfare Social Club, on Chapel Street, at around 8.30am on October 6 of last year.

The dad-of-four and grandfather-of-three, originally of Armthorpe in Doncaster, lived on Mayfield Avenue and was described by friends and family as a popular figure in the ‘gypsy’ community. More than 200 mourners packed into Doncaster’s largest church while a crowd of 100 or more remained outside during his funeral in December.

During the service Canon John Willett described Mr Smith as: “A very proud grandfather and dad.”

Canon Willett also said Mr Smith was a handyman and a “joker with a very kind heart.”